Data presented at ESGAR showed that the use of computer-aided detection helped radiographers to detect 100 per cent of cancers when examining more than 300 patients in routine primary reporting of virtual colonoscopy.

Data presented today at the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) showed that the use of computer-aided detection (CAD) helped radiographers to detect 100 per cent of cancers when examining more than 300 patients in routine primary reporting of virtual colonoscopy (VC).

"These findings are exciting because whilst demand for colorectal cancer investigation is on the rise, there is a shortage of radiologists trained to report VC in many countries," said Dr David Burling, Consultant Radiologist from St Mark's Hospital, London. "If radiographers can be trained to interpret scans more effectively using CAD technology, both radiology teams and patients will benefit, with the ultimate goal of decreasing the incidence and morbidity of colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of death from cancer in Europe."

In the study, 304 patients (61 per cent female) underwent VC as part of routine clinical care. Examinations were read by two trained radiographers supplemented by CAD as a 'second reader'. Radiographers recorded colonic abnormalities and interpretation times and proposed one of six different codes for each examination (Categories S0-5: inadequate/normal/6-9 mm polyp/10mm+ polyp/cancer/diverticular stricture). Findings were compared to that of an experienced radiologist and supplemented by colonoscopic findings if available.

The radiographers, assisted by CAD detected 100 per cent (17/17) of cancers; 72 per cent (21/29) of 10 mm+ polyps and 67 per cent (42/63) of 6-9 mm polyps. Overall agreement between radiographer and radiologist examinations was good, demonstrating that use of CAD by trained radiographers provides an effective triage strategy in initial patient management following VC. Notably on retrospective analysis, CAD had actually detected 60 per cent of polyps missed by radiographers. Therefore, had radiographers accepted these correct CAD annotations, their detection rates would have been 83 and 89 per cent for medium and large polyps respectively.